Maximum Yield USA April 2018 | Page 69

SMART METERS AND CONTROLS Smart meters and controls can be used to regulate and monitor just about anything (if you are a commercial grower or growing on a large-scale, you can even monitor multiple areas at once). The meters report atmospheric information to your computer, and a timer can help regulate humidity, air, fan speed, water, and light. This allows you to monitor the results and alter the environment to keep conditions constant and accurate. Of course, it is also a good idea to invest in a backup generator in case your system has a power loss, which would immediately impact your plants and ruin all your hard work. SIMPLE BUT NECESSARY TOOLS • When you get too busy thinking about your plants, roots, and nutrients, you can forget about yourself. Protect your eyes and see your plants without squinting by wearing wrap-around, polarized sunglasses. Opt for a pair that includes protection from UV and infra-red (IR) waves and can be worn both outdoors and indoors. • Industrial syringes help measure and control quantities of nutrients or water while keeping things clean and tidy. • Soft wire ties, commonly used for sealing bags or tying wayward cables together, can help keep your growroom neat and tidy. They’re also useful for training plants or tying your crops to supports. SPACE AND BUDGET There is a plethora of products you can buy for growing, but you need to keep in mind the space you have. For example, there’s no point buying large lights if they are too big for your grow area or if you aren’t growing much. Your budget should also consider your level of expertise and your reasons for growing. If you’re just starting out, you might want to purchase cheaper tools and systems to work out what is best for you. Then, once you know the basics, you can upgrade from there. grow cycle 69